Such spectacles of excitement are no rare scene across China on Duanwu, or Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

このような興奮の光景は、中国の端午の節句では珍しいものではない。その起源については諸説あるが、二千年の歴史を持つこの祭りは、戦国時代の愛国詩人、屈原を偲んで広く祝われている。

Although tales of its origin differ, the two-millennia-old festival is widely celebrated in memory of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet during the Warring States Period.

When Qu realized his country's decline was beyond recovery, his remorse grew so strong that he committed suicide on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

自国の衰退がもう取り返しがつかないと悟ったクーは、自責の念に駆られ、旧暦の5月5日に自殺した。伝説によると、地元の人々は詩人を救うために舟を漕ぎ、魚が詩人の体を食い荒らさないように粽を川に投げ入れたという。

Legend has it that locals rowed boats to save the poet and threw zongzi, or sticky rice dumplings, into the river to keep fish from devouring his body.

This tradition was passed down in China, even traveling across borders, carrying China's respect for a patriot to all parts of the world.

この伝統は中国国内で受け継がれ、国境を越えても伝わり、中国の愛国者に対する尊敬の念を世界各地に伝えた。端午の節句には、他にもさまざまな行事がある。

A host of other practices are also associated with Duanwu.

The fifth day of the fifth month is considered unlucky and poisonous.

5月5日は不吉で毒があるとされている。

To rid themselves of the misfortune, many people, especially those in South China, take herbal baths, hang moxa and calamus plants over their doors, and wear sachets stuffed with Chinese herbs, all with strong scents to do away with venomous insects.

災難を取り除くために、多くの人々、特に華南の人々は薬草風呂に入り、もぐさやカラムシの植物をドアに吊るし、漢方薬を詰めた小袋を身につける。

Realgar wine, a common antidote against venom, is often enjoyed along with meals.

毒虫を追い払うために、毒消しとしてよく使われるレアグアイを食事と一緒に楽しむこともある。 五色の糸のブレスレットも、悪霊を追い払うために身につけられる。

Five-colored thread bracelets are also worn to obviate evil spirits.

Duanwu began as a day to remember a poet steeped with love for his country.

端午の節句は、祖国への愛に満ちた詩人を偲ぶ日として始まった。

His patriotism is still celebrated today, with rich and fun customs that unite hearts across the globe, in methods that hail the harmony between nature and man.

彼の愛国心は今日でも称賛され、自然と人間の調和を賛美する方法で、世界中の心をひとつにする豊かで愛すべき習慣がある。